California Invasive Plant Council

Aegilops triuncialis

Common names: barb goatgrass, barbed goatgrass

Aegilops triuncialis (barb goatgrass) is an annual grass (family Poaceae) that grows in rangelands, grasslands, and oak woodlands. It is becoming a dominant grass in foothill grasslands of central California. This weed can directly injure livestock by lodging in their eyes or mouths, and is unpalatable to cattle. It is native to many areas in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe and Western Asia.

Cal-IPC Rating: High?

Explanation of Cal-IPC ratings

• High – These species have severe ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. Their reproductive biology and other attributes are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal and establishment. Most are widely distributed ecologically.
• Moderate – These species have substantial and apparent-but generally not severe-ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. Their reproductive biology and other attributes are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal, though establishment is generally dependent upon ecological disturbance. Ecological amplitude and distribution may range from limited to widespread.
• Limited – These species are invasive but their ecological impacts are minor on a statewide level or there was not enough information to justify a higher score. Their reproductive biology and other attributes result in low to moderate rates of invasiveness. Ecological amplitude and distribution are generally limited, but these species may be locally persistent and problematic.
• Alert – An Alert is listed on species with High or Moderate impacts that have limited distribution in California, but may have the potential to spread much further.
• Watch – These species have been assessed as posing a high risk of becoming invasive in the future in California.

CDFA Rating: -*?

Explanation of CDFA ratings

• A – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment.
• B – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution.
• C – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is usually widespread.
• D – An organism known to be of little or no economic or environmental detriment, to have an extremely low likelihood of weediness, or is known to be a parasite or predator.
• Q – An organism or disorder suspected to be of economic or environmental detriment, but whose status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate information.
• * – An asterisk next to the rating indicates that a plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds.
• -* – This plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds, but is otherwise not rated.

More details

Assessment(s)

Aegilops triuncialis Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Special Reports

Weed Management Notes

• Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

• 2024 Cal-IPC Symposium program highlights. Johnson, Doug. Vol 32, Issue 3
• One Tam unites around Marin’s mountain. Kesel, Rachel. Vol 24, Issue 3
• Rangeland stakeholders meet on medusahead and goatgrass. James, Jeremy. Vol 22, Issue 1
• Tracking eradication progress . Guise, Vince. Vol 21, Issue 3
• Impacts of native vs. exotic grassland vegetation. Eviner, Valerie; Heraty, Joanne; Baty, Jill; Malmstrom, Carolyn; Rice, Kevin. Vol 21, Issue 3

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

• The effects of invasive goatgrass control on serpentine wildflowers and pollinators. Nelson, Rebecca (2024)
• The recent appearance and successful eradication of barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) at a Southern California nature preserve. DeSimone, Sandra; Skarie, Matthew (2024)
• Evaluating control of late-season noxious grassland invasives with multiple approaches: wildfire, prescribed fire, native grass restoration, and organic herbicides. Eviner, Valerie (2020)
• Lessons learned: goats, goatgrass, fire, and fuel reduction. Minnick, Sarah (2018)
• Barb goatgrass management: Interactive effects of grazing, glyphosate rate, application timing, and restoration seeding. Bean, Travis; Gornish, Elise; Kyser, Guy (2017)
• Preserving serpentine grasslands: ten years of research and management to control barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) at the McLaughlin Reserve. Aigner, Paul A.; Case, Erica J.; Harrison, Susan P.; Cornell, Howard V. (2012)
• Alteration of nitrogen cycling processes by exotic annuals in a California grassland. Carey, Chelsea; Hart, Stephen C. (2011)
• Control of barbed goatgrass in serpentine grasslands. Aigner, Paul A.; Woerly, Rhett J. (2010)
• Prescribed burning controls barb goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis L.) in Central Valley rangeland for up to five years. Marty, Jaymee T.; Sweet, Sara; Buck, Jennifer J (2010)
• The effects of climate change on the growth of Barbed Goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) in serpentine grasslands. Morrison, Elise; Battaglia, Amy; Going, Barbara (2010)
• Controlling the invasion of noxious rangeland weeds into an exotic-dominated grassland: Is there a role for native grass reseeding? Eviner, Valerie; Rice, Kevin J.; Malmstrom, Carolyn M. (2009)
• Efficacy and safety of new herbicides on the horizon. DiTomaso, Joseph M. (2005)
• Grasses working group. Clines, Joanna; DiTomaso, Joe; Meyer, Tanya (2004)
• Yellow starthistle management with grazing, mowing, and competitive plantings. Thomsen, Craig D.; Williams, William A.; Vayssieres, Marc P. (1996)

Other Aegilops triuncialis Information

• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
• CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
• EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
• GBIF - Global distribution information.
• Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
• USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.

Additional photos